Richard Tuttle - Island of Darkness

“Larst has put us in the position of starting the war,” fumed Lyra. “We will be seen as shutting off the food deliveries just when the Omungan people have become dependent upon them.”

“And when we attack the Imperial Guards entering the Sakova,” added StarWind, “Larst will parade the casualties for all to see. It will be seen as an unprovoked attack by the savages.”

“Exactly,” nodded Lyra. “How do we thwart his plan?”

“We developed a defense plan in the meeting you called last week,” declared StarWind. “I thought the issue was settled.”

“For the defense of StarCity, it is,” replied Lyra, “but that is not what we are facing right now.”

StarWind nodded absently as she chewed on her lower lip and pondered the question. She rose from her chair and walked to the wall map. Lyra also rose and joined the spymaster.

“What are you thinking?” Lyra asked.

“Two thoughts come to mind,” StarWind replied distractedly. “Both are very risky.”

“Explain your thoughts,” Lyra said. “We will discuss the risks after.”

“Alright,” StarWind said. “Larst expects great casualties to his troops entering the Sakova. What if he did not get his wish?”

“Do you mean to just let the Imperial Guards run rampant through the Sakova?” questioned Lyra. “The secrecy of StarCity would never withstand such scrutiny.”

“That is not exactly what I had in mind,” StarWind replied with a weak smile. “We have made the Sakova seem a nightmare for generations. Suppose we reinforced those thoughts on the Imperial Guards?”

“Those tales were told to frighten children,” frowned Lyra. “Do not expect soldiers to react the same way.”

“Those soldiers were children not too long ago,” smiled StarWind. “They still remember those nightmarish tales. While they will not easily show their fear to those around them, I am willing to wager that the fears still exist.”

“Even if we try to frighten the Imperial Guard out of the Sakova,” Lyra shook her head, “Larst will still have the bodies to show the people. That accomplishes little.”

“Bodies?” grinned StarWind. “There will be no bodies. I am talking about frightening the soldiers without leaving any bodies. Think in terms of scouts disappearing, food supplies vanishing, strange sounds in the night so soldiers cannot sleep, and small items taken off the sleeping bodies of soldiers.”

“Can that be done?” Lyra asked as she remembered her own first visit to the Sakova. MistyTrail had terrorized her and her friends.

“You know that it can be,” smiled StarWind. “HawkShadow is an expert at such things. SkyDancer is also fairly adept, although I wish MistyTrail was still here.”

“Still,” Lyra shook her head, “two people against the hordes that will be invading us? I am not sure anything will be gained.”

“Nothing will be lost if they don’t get caught,” retorted StarWind. “We lose nothing from our defense plan by letting them try.”

“Agreed,” decided the Star of Sakova. “You mentioned two ideas. What is the second?”

“The Katana wants us to cut off our food deliveries so that the Omungans hate us,” explained StarWind. “Suppose we do the opposite? Suppose we inform the Omungans of what their Katana is trying to do to them?”

“And then continue to send them food anyway?” Lyra asked with a puzzled frown. “Our people will be killed. I will have sacrificed them to make a point.”

“I said the plans were risky,” countered StarWind. “I think we could lower the risks by sending caravans to selected cities at selected times. Say that we saw an opportunity to send food to Fortaka while the Imperial Guard was elsewhere. The Omungans would move their troops to make sure that we didn’t do it again.”

“But we would send our caravans in the opposite direction,” nodded Lyra. “This plan has merit, but we will need good intelligence on the movements of the Imperial Guard. What about the individual city garrisons? Won’t they interdict the shipments without the help of the Okata armies?”

“I am not sure,” admitted StarWind. “While the city garrisons are Imperial Guards, they are mostly men from that city. They have families that are starving inside the walls. I think a lot will depend upon how favorably the people of the city look upon us.”

“You said that Fortaka and Alamar were the most welcoming of the Omungan cities,” schemed Lyra. “I want to take both of the caravans scheduled to leave today and redirect them to one of those cities.”

“For what purpose?” questioned the Sakovan spymaster. “Both cities have just received shipments.”

“Because those are our strongholds in the Omungan population,” replied Lyra. “We will boost food supplies of one of those cities before the Imperial Guard disrupts our deliveries.”

“I will see to it,” nodded StarWind. “I will actually feel better with caravans going to only one city at a time. It lessens the chance of interdiction. I will send both caravans to Alamar. The approach to that city is safer than Fortaka.”

“Good,” smiled Lyra. “I will be traveling with the caravans.”

“What?” gasped StarWind. “You will do no such thing. While our people are willing to risk their lives to feed the Omungans, we are not willing to risk our Star.”

“Then guard me well,” Lyra said firmly. “I plan to speak to the people of Alamar. Larst has to be seen for what he is, whatever that is.”

“Oh,” frowned StarWind, “I almost forgot. I spoke to Lord Marak about your question of someone taking over another’s body. He said it recently happened in Khadora. He does not know how it was accomplished, but he is certain that Zygor inhabited the body of a Khadoran lord.”

“That explains much,” frowned Lyra. “I thought Larst had turned dramatically. Now it makes sense. So once again they have a false Katana. Omunga needs a better method of leadership.”

“Do not even think of deposing another one,” warned StarWind. “I am sure that the army generals would seize control of the country.”

“That is a problem for the future,” nodded Lyra. “At least I understand now that I did not misjudge the man. Ready my caravans for Alamar. The sooner we get there, the less chance that the Imperial Guards from Okata will have to arrive before we do.”

* * *

Temiker led the gray-hooded Ukaro through the streets of Alamar towards the western gate. They were heading to the fields outside the walls when they were forced to pause at the main road leading through the city. Three wagons loaded with Sakovan food proceeded along the street. Citizens poured from the buildings and cheered as the wagons passed. A huge crowd flowed into the street and joyfully followed the caravan. People waved to the Sakovans and called them by name. It was a carnival atmosphere that pervaded the city. Farther down the street, the local Imperial Guards cheered and cleared a path to the marketplace.

On the steps of the Imperial Guard headquarters, a captain from Okata watched the display as his squad led their horses towards the stables behind the building. He shook his head in disgust and entered the building. He walked across the floor to the counter and demanded to speak with General Manitow. The Imperial Guard behind the counter gave him directions, and the captain strode off purposely. He passed along a corridor and entered a large office. He saluted as the general looked up.

“I am Captain Gachiral,” he declared. “I have been sent from Okata with directives concerning the Sakovans.”

“What are the directives?” asked General Manitow.

“The Katana has declared that the Sakova must be conquered,” stated the captain. “Already the armies are positioning for a push into the Sakovan heartland. You are instructed to secure the city of Alamar, and await the arrival of the army of General Romero. He will be here within the week.”